The tapping of his fingers onto the desk must have gone on for quiet a while. It was close to lunch time and Leo didn't seem to notice the time.339Please respect copyright.PENANAHxNPrQxE2N
339Please respect copyright.PENANADdbzHh4zau
A knock came at the door, and Leo didn't seem to hear it at first, til it became louder. He jerked in his seat and sat up like he had just woken up from a dream.339Please respect copyright.PENANAf1HRnVmsc2
339Please respect copyright.PENANA7x9Lfv0N0D
"Hello, Mr. McDonell?" came a female voice behind the door. "Are you in there?"
"Damn it," Leo muttered quietly to himself. "You can come in, Grace."339Please respect copyright.PENANAK5zm5WdtS1
339Please respect copyright.PENANApt4kYOi1NA
The door flew open and a young short lady with blonde hair, tied in a bun and glasses over her blue eyes, came into the room. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black high heeled shoes that made her look a bit taller. She had a blue file in her hand.339Please respect copyright.PENANAbUTudMDtbo
339Please respect copyright.PENANAI2yoGSTpUz
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.339Please respect copyright.PENANAYL3T9ikk7x
339Please respect copyright.PENANA8WMvDZJxq5
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.339Please respect copyright.PENANAQch3mbzWfA
339Please respect copyright.PENANAiVfvsP3lTR
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.339Please respect copyright.PENANAhrS5y93Swc
339Please respect copyright.PENANAyh6pQbyOhI
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."339Please respect copyright.PENANA95YP16WJQP
339Please respect copyright.PENANAt9GDuw3Io9
"Is she still at her desk?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAKLV0nLbB0V
339Please respect copyright.PENANAFT5PR8Qxxu
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"339Please respect copyright.PENANA3Aral8GwYY
339Please respect copyright.PENANAKGwu4IggPb
Leo tried not to look surprised as he stared at the silver round clock seated on his desk beside his computer. He completely lost track of time that he felt like muttering to himself of how much of an idiot he was.339Please respect copyright.PENANAX8KCtPFtAv
339Please respect copyright.PENANAiOO1pnf7XT
"I simply lost track of time," he humbly admitted as he looked back at Grace, trying to keep his cool. He sometimes lost his temper in front of his colleagues. But today, he felt like it wasn't necessary.339Please respect copyright.PENANAP3EZynQIfQ
339Please respect copyright.PENANAcCpZYEiexq
"You look tired. Are you okay?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAvCMxWmIva9
339Please respect copyright.PENANAPlorjnrGdz
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."339Please respect copyright.PENANAWse7tIFhXr
339Please respect copyright.PENANAUkg7MMPjrj
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."339Please respect copyright.PENANAthXyeT7eTl
339Please respect copyright.PENANAG1SCbTxF43
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.339Please respect copyright.PENANAXuTGHu6Udv
339Please respect copyright.PENANArJwcz1Efsw
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.339Please respect copyright.PENANAKpjEzqSIye
339Please respect copyright.PENANAbfQLQqPvxd
"I'll try," Leo said as he picked up his phone on the table. "Though going out for fresh air really isn't my cup of tea."339Please respect copyright.PENANAsn5vBAjB0w
339Please respect copyright.PENANA1WWHq1wSLY
Grace smiled at him as she relaxed. "You will enjoy it, sir. Before you go, your father isn't back yet and I needed him to sign this document."339Please respect copyright.PENANA5vs57EwJuA
339Please respect copyright.PENANAOK0PqlvNup
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAg75rylgayC
339Please respect copyright.PENANAIuzTCCnBLI
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."339Please respect copyright.PENANAOTBFdgzAOS
339Please respect copyright.PENANA79i2TXsRFx
Leo stretched out his hand and Grace, likewise, gave him the file. He quickly opened the file and skimmed through the document. After familiarising himself with it, he put the file on the table, took the pen and signed it. He straightened up and gave the file back to Grace.339Please respect copyright.PENANAwxJnhOuPgV
339Please respect copyright.PENANAhgygYBzT8I
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.339Please respect copyright.PENANA8iANsiEPEJ
339Please respect copyright.PENANAlFprtvaoNA
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.339Please respect copyright.PENANALN3gHxqan6
339Please respect copyright.PENANAzMZbAzUBNZ
With the phone in his other hand, Leo decided to call him. But before he could do so, the door flew open and Eric came into his office.339Please respect copyright.PENANAqQJ97qNMFO
339Please respect copyright.PENANAhJjpULVBmv
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.339Please respect copyright.PENANAV53wbNX1sr
339Please respect copyright.PENANAKKFRKibITv
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"339Please respect copyright.PENANA2QFWrauGdS
339Please respect copyright.PENANAKO0pNKd2w2
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.339Please respect copyright.PENANA2jmEedJsfD
339Please respect copyright.PENANAEfe9cvcyoy
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.339Please respect copyright.PENANAje0HYSVyjk
339Please respect copyright.PENANADBR3uspW2u
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."339Please respect copyright.PENANAnIGP9ol7Ka
339Please respect copyright.PENANAKirMVe6Mfl
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."339Please respect copyright.PENANAUBEeS6lGKY
339Please respect copyright.PENANAH7jVCX8Ss9
"Why do you say that?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAQFWJ2CPb6y
339Please respect copyright.PENANA4zlCLhsnlI
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."339Please respect copyright.PENANAy84m9ihHmA
339Please respect copyright.PENANA3Yd0AqYWBS
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."339Please respect copyright.PENANA669Z84MVKu
339Please respect copyright.PENANAZNs0RDlalp
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAy1YwRFvg4N
339Please respect copyright.PENANANG0yWvtqZW
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAvKoNczsDkR
339Please respect copyright.PENANAsBNlmcvX4a
Eric shook his head as he pinched his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "This is why I said you should go to a therapist. You can't hate someone who hasn't offended you."339Please respect copyright.PENANAxFKwENn4nj
339Please respect copyright.PENANAFUEBuKeF8R
"What are you saying? Of course she has."339Please respect copyright.PENANAZxwKE8g8pm
339Please respect copyright.PENANA8H6HDihvvf
Eric folded his arms. "Okay, apart from the time when she attacked you at the club because you were making love to her sister, mention any other time when she did you wrong."339Please respect copyright.PENANAs1xKA8v0XS
339Please respect copyright.PENANAj4tcWdpdMo
Leo looked at Eric with a murderous look. He didn't have to think of anything because he knew he had none. Eric always had a way of getting to him when he wanted to.339Please respect copyright.PENANA1WvhSs4NrO
339Please respect copyright.PENANAVq3a9zgVbO
Leo ended up shaking his head admitting defeat and said, "fine. You win this time. But that doesn't mean she plots behind my back."339Please respect copyright.PENANApdyjTQrjnj
339Please respect copyright.PENANAuUTwmBOOSb
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."339Please respect copyright.PENANAxfVGzxevnF
339Please respect copyright.PENANA4dz6syf0Nl
Leo shook his head as he walked round his table. "I'm so done with you. Let's go. Arguing with you makes me hungry."339Please respect copyright.PENANAljrsS4yB0d
339Please respect copyright.PENANAkHGub9q4SG
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.339Please respect copyright.PENANAbePuhP4gAa
339Please respect copyright.PENANApWlya5iPVH
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."339Please respect copyright.PENANAFqIQ8p6FHm
339Please respect copyright.PENANA0BbgVjBJWO
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"339Please respect copyright.PENANABHz1ResWEx
339Please respect copyright.PENANA2IkKRyW0Zy
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."339Please respect copyright.PENANAM6J5LbNxnO
339Please respect copyright.PENANANLSM7BIHb1
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."339Please respect copyright.PENANAptnoytYTPh
339Please respect copyright.PENANA315R4pqXeJ
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."339Please respect copyright.PENANAIIL2sHcniw
339Please respect copyright.PENANAx04bGHtdCj
Leo would've said something over Eric's appetite, but he was too worried about his father to even care. The two made their way towards the elevator while Leo dialed his father's number on his phone and called. He put the phone to his ear as Eric reached the elevator first and pressed the button to summon it.339Please respect copyright.PENANANOMszRL9qK
339Please respect copyright.PENANA4MUQbjHoQe
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.339Please respect copyright.PENANAFDVg0olOk9
339Please respect copyright.PENANAEp8a7sWb7k
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"339Please respect copyright.PENANA4yQ0YDRRzx
339Please respect copyright.PENANAG2QUArBGOC
"No, nothing's wrong," Leo replied. The elevator doors in front of him flew open and Eric stepped in first with Leo following slowly behind him. "Grace told me that you weren't around and I thought of checking up on you."339Please respect copyright.PENANA1NcLbjbgpR
339Please respect copyright.PENANAq33gpKPtgc
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."339Please respect copyright.PENANASon4X1U4PK
339Please respect copyright.PENANANVRLGzhVL2
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.339Please respect copyright.PENANAl3bXlRLt6l
339Please respect copyright.PENANAPEmJsoERcA
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."339Please respect copyright.PENANAr8jeFIZ19w
339Please respect copyright.PENANAw65Fa64b7I
"I was worried when Grace told me you hadn't shown up to the office." Leo looked over at Eric who was staring at his own two feet.339Please respect copyright.PENANAcWQ8g1IquX
339Please respect copyright.PENANApMMaP8LToE
"You don't need to worry, son, I'm fine. Walking is good for me and I really need it today. I'll be back in the office as soon as lunch hour is over."339Please respect copyright.PENANAxRI9iNcSoN
339Please respect copyright.PENANArSsGKu2xuE
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.339Please respect copyright.PENANAf6GqvpNn3k
339Please respect copyright.PENANAJE7T9NOWb8
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.339Please respect copyright.PENANAoFOooEoD1b
339Please respect copyright.PENANAbqB88hEkhJ
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.339Please respect copyright.PENANABnb3Li8aCq
339Please respect copyright.PENANArjL8AEUPwn
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.339Please respect copyright.PENANAvASnmlzebK
339Please respect copyright.PENANAaWnesQvtjx
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."339Please respect copyright.PENANAO19220qxp5
339Please respect copyright.PENANA7YbOKVhyxv
"Ya, there wasn't."339Please respect copyright.PENANAxO9aHYy4oy
339Please respect copyright.PENANAD6zHnlSgbi
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.339Please respect copyright.PENANACqFvv48pkQ
339Please respect copyright.PENANAN5XqMU8p9j
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAoiD1FtviRr
339Please respect copyright.PENANAc8oaXJLjH1
"Can't we have junk food for a change?" Leo asked as he put his phone in the pocket and left his hand in it.339Please respect copyright.PENANA6FAIrYmwRb
339Please respect copyright.PENANA7MYQXRbHbr
Eric looked at his cousin as they walked, careful enough not to bump into anyone coming in from the opposite direction and those in front of him who walked too slow. He looked surprised.339Please respect copyright.PENANAPlvY8qurAA
339Please respect copyright.PENANA6kOJgeBcbX
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."339Please respect copyright.PENANAUubI5FBUwK
339Please respect copyright.PENANAjJF0l6ZekK
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.339Please respect copyright.PENANAEni4PDG768
339Please respect copyright.PENANA0gMUD2glYi
"Not that I know of." They were soon near the traffic lights with many other civilians at the zebra crossing, waiting for the walk traffic light to turn on.339Please respect copyright.PENANAgpLLhvcEyY
339Please respect copyright.PENANAJDyYKDMozX
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"339Please respect copyright.PENANABqQDTyMPf0
339Please respect copyright.PENANAfeJEcY6x93
Eric thought about it for a second but he had to cross the road with Leo and the other pedestrians as soon as the traffic lights turned red for the cars to stop and the green walk sign turned on for the pedestrians. As soon as they reached the other side of the crossing and the cars that stopped were finally on the move behind them, Eric gave his reply:339Please respect copyright.PENANAdwK8LqbBhA
339Please respect copyright.PENANAOtqMCerebm
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just worried that you might grow fat. Besides, the only reason why I'm concerned is because you like going to fancy restaurants and eating salads all the time."339Please respect copyright.PENANA7qUu0FSUoD
339Please respect copyright.PENANAa7wtuT7ul0
"I know," said Leo as they passed by a coffee shop and the strong smell of coffee flew onto the street when a lady, opened the door to enter the cafe. "I don't know how to explain it, but I'm really in a mood for it right now."339Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3ZcbJordq
339Please respect copyright.PENANA1E5W1BSMQv
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."339Please respect copyright.PENANAbRwZdx0Q72
339Please respect copyright.PENANAXkVcqWlL2g
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."339Please respect copyright.PENANAkppfuuEN5R
339Please respect copyright.PENANANmutlDYU7g
"Mind you, I love junk. I'm just surprised you want to join in on the fun. And I know exactly where to go. There's this amazing place where they sell the best burgers."339Please respect copyright.PENANAWrN92l1omG
339Please respect copyright.PENANAEkKVHfWprj
"Great, let's go."339Please respect copyright.PENANA1RRmnl05bj
339Please respect copyright.PENANAr9zRwxCY2Q
***339Please respect copyright.PENANA0RpSuwglRN
339Please respect copyright.PENANAhoPHTX3B40
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.339Please respect copyright.PENANACm8ZEbLKzw
339Please respect copyright.PENANAjqdUm6uN30
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.339Please respect copyright.PENANA0mWFLwe7IT
339Please respect copyright.PENANAXW84FurwWA
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.339Please respect copyright.PENANAwJMFkm5n0u
339Please respect copyright.PENANA3YZkjiUTL7
Angel went on ahead to look at her surrounding a little more. They were at an outdoor restaurant. As much as it was outdoors, the place was luxurious with the open roof above them filled with green creepers and tiny bulbs above them to make the scene around them look beautiful and a little intimate. The wooden tables were covered with white table cloths and above them were little bulbs in shape of candles with little green creepers and white flowers. Angel liked the way the restaurant made her feel. She felt like she was in a fairytale.339Please respect copyright.PENANAiwGH8lYfU6
339Please respect copyright.PENANAl84wq8fCIO
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.339Please respect copyright.PENANA84YB2IWs9Z
339Please respect copyright.PENANALEL3ij1wDJ
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.339Please respect copyright.PENANAlmtjEaNxix
339Please respect copyright.PENANAUgNRRsZ2a0
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"339Please respect copyright.PENANACS4WoXHtLu
339Please respect copyright.PENANAnluW9Ty0Sb
Angel also took hold of the menu and looked at it. It had been a long time since she had visited a fancy restaurant that she forgot about some delicate cuisines that most exquisite restaurants liked to serve. She smiled to herself when she noticed one of the meals she enjoyed on the menu.339Please respect copyright.PENANA7hDoAbrBYT
339Please respect copyright.PENANAj65rz0yj1V
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.339Please respect copyright.PENANAYUZ0MEYDiC
339Please respect copyright.PENANArqXafuBX1a
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."339Please respect copyright.PENANA7h76BVgy79
339Please respect copyright.PENANAWQBrjNdUfN
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.339Please respect copyright.PENANAHSoG1IbTQC
339Please respect copyright.PENANAkcaj0bfbpT
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."339Please respect copyright.PENANANP0ddxVV7X
339Please respect copyright.PENANAoYIJAYQfcB
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.339Please respect copyright.PENANAsvG03OnS5B
339Please respect copyright.PENANAIoWwWuk5hY
"Ya, but he wasn't the best of boyfriends," said Angel as she went back to looking at the menu. "The ratatouille can be a good starter. Just saying."339Please respect copyright.PENANA47oDx2bmzU
339Please respect copyright.PENANAS2D5GTLiwe
Mark continued to look at Angel and she didn't seem to notice. It was only moments later when she looked at him and caught him staring.339Please respect copyright.PENANAYfQEsA7vON
339Please respect copyright.PENANAFq1xl67I3M
"What is it?" Angel asked.339Please respect copyright.PENANAbEZGemEXRV
339Please respect copyright.PENANAB3DvQzDzqw
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."339Please respect copyright.PENANA9gH3kZhEyv
339Please respect copyright.PENANAmtMFKr4kjN
Angel raised an eyebrow at him as she put the menu back down on the table. "That was three years ago. I caught him cheating on me and so..., just like everything that stays in the past..., it's history."339Please respect copyright.PENANAnqfS1oZi8W
339Please respect copyright.PENANAtSmvDd2ABi
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."339Please respect copyright.PENANAkTTNpaQkN2
339Please respect copyright.PENANAogZBeYE1zO
Angel looked up at the green creepers over her and the tiny bright lights. "He made a choice," she said. "Can't blame him. The girl he cheated on me with was very beautiful. I guess that's why."339Please respect copyright.PENANAyfwOIAKTIC
339Please respect copyright.PENANAaVfoma2V9G
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.339Please respect copyright.PENANAfSpBK1G1vV
339Please respect copyright.PENANAwgPLbnSHhc
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."339Please respect copyright.PENANAUSnVBft5JO
339Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7NGUGQHM2
Angel smiled. "Stop it," she said, her cheeks starting to heat up. "I know you're only saying that to try and make me feel better."339Please respect copyright.PENANAGBjgneiB5B
339Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1TNYx2zHr
"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."339Please respect copyright.PENANAxbqUfjcpAA
339Please respect copyright.PENANAgURDde9atb
Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."339Please respect copyright.PENANAymUE4k7dJR
339Please respect copyright.PENANAuq83EFHr8q
Mark withdrew his hand. "Let's not talk about him." He lifted his hand to catch the attention of a waiter nearby. A lean blonde young man came to the table all dressed in a black shirt, a black pair of trousers, with matching black shoes and a black half apron round his waist.339Please respect copyright.PENANADvfquS1Yn3
339Please respect copyright.PENANAyqhg05TTjw
"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.339Please respect copyright.PENANAIn08rfD0iN
339Please respect copyright.PENANAzaykieISAV
"Yes, please," said Mark as he looked up at the waiter and then he went on to look at Angel. "For a starter, we would like the ratatouille, please."339Please respect copyright.PENANAmQFnYaLBzt
339Please respect copyright.PENANAKkXq26QBxn
"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"339Please respect copyright.PENANATUQyy82SNA
339Please respect copyright.PENANAs0q7pe4FNG
"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."339Please respect copyright.PENANAw5ejCZqHge
339Please respect copyright.PENANAULhW4UqAWA
"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.339Please respect copyright.PENANARs5YKKh6Ip
339Please respect copyright.PENANAizlJ6Mz4lv
"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.339Please respect copyright.PENANAH3uZMZ2NeT
339Please respect copyright.PENANADONBfU0Mwq
"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAsyPygUrqow
339Please respect copyright.PENANA3BujbuGt5G
"Well...," Angel playfully rolled her eyes up. "I can't say I take alcohol when I drink wine on special occasions." Her eyes flew back to Mark's face.339Please respect copyright.PENANA7PvSzJAqv6
339Please respect copyright.PENANAEjGpe6q5XB
"Oh," Mark let out a little laugh as he leaned back on his chair. "For a minute there, I thought you didn't take alcohol at all."339Please respect copyright.PENANAne0IiVb89h
339Please respect copyright.PENANAd2i5SR7K5K
"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."339Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ18zagc7X
339Please respect copyright.PENANA1QCJWUurK8
"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.339Please respect copyright.PENANA5smnHXHycE
339Please respect copyright.PENANADQg1MerOgV
"Women like you love wine."339Please respect copyright.PENANAU54e5JRvJG
339Please respect copyright.PENANAC31x5CRn6H
"Well, there are other women who love beers, scotch and whiskey...., champagne, maybe a little," Angel shrugged her shoulders.
"True. I'm glad I guessed that you're a wine drinker."339Please respect copyright.PENANArUQSD4fu5D
339Please respect copyright.PENANANnUfOURkC0
"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."339Please respect copyright.PENANAzGqGJ3LpgH
339Please respect copyright.PENANAi26ROYmjds
"Because you caught me off guard with that question."339Please respect copyright.PENANAN784KLyBwX
339Please respect copyright.PENANAAvldOaVydb
Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.339Please respect copyright.PENANAZffLmER0Uw
339Please respect copyright.PENANAntiJzMDL0T
"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."339Please respect copyright.PENANAe9SC6mRj8n
339Please respect copyright.PENANAQHY7fNqsiG
Mark had an amused look on his face and he didn't notice how charmingly he smiled at Angel until the waiter came back pushing a serving tray. On it was a black champagne bucket with a bottle of wine in it with ice all around. Alongside the bucket were two wine glasses.339Please respect copyright.PENANAIC4xd3Y0Lz
339Please respect copyright.PENANA55YYy8gLhn
The waiter placed the two glasses in front of Mark and Angel, opened the bottle of wine and poured into the glasses. Afterwards, he placed the bottle back in the bucket, kindly excused himself and walked away.339Please respect copyright.PENANA5QfXauVELs
339Please respect copyright.PENANAnXW6hGrZlr
"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.339Please respect copyright.PENANAWq2j8KP3sI
339Please respect copyright.PENANAvQxHxdieVF
"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.339Please respect copyright.PENANAFdlvAehFjl
339Please respect copyright.PENANAvShokFS8sx
"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."339Please respect copyright.PENANASAYehHIsJt
339Please respect copyright.PENANATBtLxpCMFG
Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."339Please respect copyright.PENANAsZoscZyTjX
339Please respect copyright.PENANAUoj3fmJU3c
Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.339Please respect copyright.PENANAtESYFBBnQi
339Please respect copyright.PENANAPyJ3fcrZUR
"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.339Please respect copyright.PENANAPpvOoFdWrK
339Please respect copyright.PENANAwazWXP810P
"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.339Please respect copyright.PENANAvbQfuIxlep
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"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."339Please respect copyright.PENANAu1KSjq0FgP
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"339Please respect copyright.PENANAO9vMfCMXB0
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."339Please respect copyright.PENANAeBpc8I5gTf
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."339Please respect copyright.PENANASjI6BWkrNA
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It didn't take long for their to starter arrive. And as they had their meal, they continued to chat unaware of how much they enjoyed each other's company. But they had more matters to discuss, and they both knew it.339Please respect copyright.PENANA3h7Vlv7pWS
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***339Please respect copyright.PENANAChRCRFNqDe
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The white tulips in his hands smelled fresh and divine as he walked, his eyes focused ahead. The place around him was quiet except for a few words he heard aloud at a distance. As he walked, he turned to the voice and saw a group of people, almost all of them dressed in black, gathered together surrounding a white casket. The person speaking before them was a priest, all dressed in white and purple robes with the Holy Bible in his hands. Those closer to the casket, crying silently and holding tissues to their noses were obviously the family to the deceased.339Please respect copyright.PENANAd646O9mH0V
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Death was a sad thing, especially if it happens to take a loved one away from you. But such was life. Death itself was inevitable and it was up to those alive and in the present to move on. Though it's hard for many others to do so.339Please respect copyright.PENANAJFInab3ICq
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As he continued to walk away from the funeral procession and through the neatly arranged tombstones in the graveyard, he approached her grave. There stood a white marble tombstone that he had set up just a day after her burial. He was glad that his wife hadn't visited the graveyard with him. She would have been pissed to see such a magnificent tombstone and would have blamed him for wasting so much money on a dead person.339Please respect copyright.PENANAsLzb6EBPO4
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As he got closer, he stood there for a minute as he read her name in big black capital letters. He bended over to put the white tulips on the ground, next to the tombstone. After straightening up, he took a few steps back.339Please respect copyright.PENANApsifqavown
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He sighed as he smiled at the white tulips. If she were here, she would have smiled back at him, taken a sniff out of them and said thank you.339Please respect copyright.PENANAoAjiKd9vDQ
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.